State Legislation

AACS State Update

Jul 12, 2016

As we approach the middle of July, there are three state legislatures – Massachusetts, Michigan and New Jersey — meeting in regular session this week. Alaska’s legislature is also meeting in special session to address that state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. As always, AACS will keep you apprised of the latest developments from across the country of interest to barbering and cosmetology schools.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (R) signed a budget bill on July 8th that exempts schools licensed under the Board of Registration of Cosmetology and BarbersfromOffice of Private Occupational School Education oversight. The language adopted in HB 4450 was identical to House budget amendment approved in April. As the Senate budget did not include such an exception, a six member conference committee was convened to resolve this and other differences. They reported an amended bill on June 29th. The next day both the House and Senate accepted the conference report.

The Massachusetts budget also contains a rider providing for “mobile services,” which is defined as “those practices within the definitions of aesthetics, barbering, cosmetology, electrolysis, hairdressing and manicuring that the board authorizes to be provided at a location other than a licensed shop.”

Next door in Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo (D) signed SB 2162/HB 8329 into law on July 5th. Effective upon enactment, these identical measures permit licensed barbers, hairdressers, cosmeticians, manicurists, and estheticians to relocate to another hair design shop once during the term of their license without needing to obtain another license.